Last week I had come to a point where I felt as if the Lord was telling me to not pray for the sale of our home in Kansas anymore. I had a sense of peace knowing that from here on out the Lord was going to start the "sale" process and that I needed to concentrate on other things. That Wednesday when we prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet we offered it up solely for the sale of our house while letting go of any anxious thoughts. I had felt a lot of pressure weighing on my mind about this (and other worries like the upcoming travel expenses, the waiting for an official invitation from the Philipine Bishop, etc.) for the last few weeks and could feel the weight of waiting bearing down. Sometimes when God quietly works out His miracles, one can feel like he is alone or away from God. I did not expect what was going to happen within the next 24 hours!
Stacie and I sat down one night a few weeks ago to figure out our taxes and to see what kind of refund we would get. I was surprised at first how much we were getting back but with the addition of Julian and other factors it was easy to see why (well, for Stacie, anyway). While the waiting period began after the "Send-off" Mass in December, I had begun to think what would happen to this money. The thought of it being garnished to make future house payments was making me upset at times, especially since I was already applying it to our mission travel fund. Instead of being patient and strengthened at that time, I was worried and anxious. Not at all how Jesus taught us to be.
Fast-forward to the day of my prayer during the Divine Mercy Chaplet. That night while I was checking e-mails and such, my realtor, Sheree, and I started to "chat" online. I asked her a few quick questions about our situation regarding the tax refund and the short-sale process with our house. She informed us about how any money that we have and use for our mission is ours and cannot be taken away. What a relief!! My prayer to offer everything completely to God was being rewarded that very day! Early the next morning, we got an email confirmation of when to expect our refund- January 28. Also, a missionary friend of ours, Sid, came running to our house with a piece of paper in hand- the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro had finally written his official invitation. Everything was starting to take shape and God's hand was in it the whole time. My spirit was leaping and I was feeling the weight of waiting lessening. God is good!
Thank you for praying for us, our dear benefactors, as we prepare for our mission trip to the Philipines. The date is now set for departure on February 28th. We are currently going through our things again and making sure we only take what we think we really need. Our daughter, Meredith, is insisting that we allow her to take only three shirts, a pair of shorts, one dress, one skirt, and one pair of pants, after reading that Jesus said to take nothing for the journey. She even feels guilty taking that! When we left Kansas in September, I thought that we arrived in Louisiana with little to unpack. God is so good to us and we always have more than we need when we trust in Him. Please continue to offer up your prayers for us and also help with our mission travel expenses. Maddie, our oldest, is hard at work crocheting rosary pouches (several different colors are available) as a fundraiser. Meredith has laminated, hand-drawn holy cards for sale with prayers on the back. Thanks again especially to those who are donating to us monthly. This will provide our daily needs as we build God's Kingdom. Several $5 or $10 per month contributions can go a long way. Please consider making your tax-deductible donation today. God will bless you one hundred-fold :)
"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."-Philipians 4:6-7
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| Rosary pouches-$5 ea Holy Cards-$2 ea or 3 for $5 |
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